Marihiko Hara and Polar M offer a moment of peace, with ‘Our Season’

The two artists have composed an EP which strikes a more hopeful note, and sets off a new series of ambient work

As a medium that reflects on emotion and internal narratives, music has been a pathway to expression for many artists working during the pandemic. Compositions inspired by feelings of isolation and depression have seen steady release, but so too have tracks built around patience and hope.

Our featured track ‘Our Season’ is part of a four track EP of the same name, which gently draws on those emotions which have become part of our daily lives. Produced by Japanese duo Marihiko Hara and Polar M, the collection is to be included in the ‘Music for Home’ series mapped out by the electro-acoustic label Mü-nest.

Marihiko’s discography focuses on ambient, experimental and beat music. He’s created scores for theatre, visual audio art as well as an award winning short movie. His collaborator in this project is Polar M (aka Masumi Muranaka), who shines for his skills as a guitarist and his own work in media projects.

Together they’ve been able to create music which circulates quiet, beautiful melodies, brought to life my classical piano and warm ambient synthesizer. Our Season is a carries a feeling of warmth, guitar lending another organic dimension to a track which stands out as an oasis of peace.

Support the release on Bandcamp and Spotify

Check out more from Marihiko Hara
Spotify / Soundcloud/ Facebook

Check out more from Polar M
Instagram / Homepage / Spotify

Constantly in motion - Kumi Takahara shares elegant new video for 'Tide'

The first thing that comes to mind about Kumi Takahara’s new track ‘Tide’ is how it seems to have perfectly captured the essence of it’s namesake.

The opening ambient sounds give way to swirling, constantly moving interwoven string melodies that seem to drift from plaintive, to wondrous and uplifting, back and forth.

Delicate vocals and instrumentation build into an evolving and deep piece that does indeed remind of moving waters, and showcases a real talent in arranging and composition from Takahara, who it seems is under the influence of Phillip Glass. This of course is by no means a bad thing…

The accompanying video only adds to the experience of the music with natural imagery, soft focus, light patterns, and intriguing time lapse shots in a demonstration of elegance and taste.

There is a lot to like here and thankfully there is more to come as a debut album titled ‘See-Through’ is due for release February 24th also. Takahara describes it as “Introspective and expansive at the same time, — a collection of classical music with a contemporary spirit.” which seems apt based on the evidence so far.

For now ‘Tide’ is the only track available from the record, but if it is is anything to go by then the album should be a very interesting listen.

Support the release on Bandcamp and Spotify

Check out more from Kumi Takahara
Twitter / Instagram / Bandcamp

Listen to the label- Flau Records
Website / Twitter / Insta / Facebook / Bandcamp

Alaskan Tapes breaks hearts in 'The Times Are Tired'

Brady Kendall  known also as Alaskan Tapes is a Canadian producer and composer based out of Toronto. Diving into his discography you are quickly submerged in a smorgasbord of soundscapes, plucked guitar and a host of lavish, atmospheric strings and synths that make up the body of his work; exploring the realms of ambient, drone and fragile electronica. Brady’s work can be heard on a variety of short films, and while Kendall has created some conventional songs, he seems mostly interested in the abstract; drawing you gently into the most intimate of spaces. 

‘The Times Are Tired’ is no exception. The unmistakable sound of a sliding steel string of an electric guitar opens the track giving you a brief impression that we are about to settle into some raw vocal/guitar rendition. Instead delicate elements soften the steel strumming and elevating strings join to harmonize what I can only describe as a moment in music that embodies heat-break and loss. This is Alaskan Tapes at his best. While, if I am completely honest, I really wanted more from this piece. For me it ends too soon, it feels like I was introduced to the most beautiful of moments only to have it taken away. Whatever Brady’s intention, we are treated to something special if only for a fleeting moment.

Catch more from Alaskan Tapes here:

Spotify, Soundcloud, Bandcamp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

Finnish film composer Kepa Lehtinen shares theremin serenade- 'Kontula'

Born in 1971 in Helsinki, Finland, Kepa Lehtinen has been deeply involved with music ever since he was a child. Whether it be pianos, synthesizers, theremins, drums or accordions, Kepa aimed to master his musical technique and develop his creative personality from a young age.

Eventually this led Kepa to pursue a full career in music which saw him first studying sound design at Aalto University in Helinski, and later appearing on countless film credits for his work as a composer, sound editor, and sound designer. His work has appeared across award winning Finnish titles such as Kimmo (TV series), Almost 18 (feature film), and A Stone Left Unturned (short).

This past April, Kepa released his first solo album entitled “Playing Theremin”, which fused analog synthesizers with the magic of the theremin. The result is a beautiful hybrid of organic and electronic elements; a sound as deliberate as it is delicate whereas even the smallest movements are felt by the listener.

Listen to the full album over on his Spotify

Follow Kepa Lehtinen and his studio Helsingin Ääniraita Oy
Youtube
Facebook
Spotify